Thus Spake Zarathustra (Classics Series) - Softcover

Wayne, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0875862098 ISBN 13: 9780875862095

Publisher: Algora Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a philosophical novel by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, composed in four parts between 1883 and 1885. Much of the work deals with ideas such as the "eternal recurrence of the same", the parable on the "death of God", and the "prophecy" of the Ubermensch, which were first introduced in The Gay Science. The book chronicles the fictitious travels and speeches of Zarathustra. Zarathustra's namesake was the founder of Zoroastrianism, usually known in English as Zoroaster. Nietzsche is clearly portraying a "new" or "different" Zarathustra, one who turns traditional morality on its head. He goes on to characterize "what the name of Zarathustra means in my mouth, the mouth of the first immoralist. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (15 October 1844 – 25 August 1900) was a German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, philologist, and Latin and Greek scholar whose work has exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy and modern intellectual history. He began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest ever to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in 1869, at the age of 24.

About this title

Review:

The most famous Nietzsche book which formed part of his 'campaign against morality' [...] the German philosopher explores the ethical consequences of the 'death of God'. Some say the book was a catalyst in Hitler's thinking and the rise of the far-right, others that Zarathustra was the most important text on human potential ever written. Hear it for yourself. The Naxos audiobook also includes helpful introductions to every chapter. --Bukowski on Bukowski zine

Synopsis:

A considerable part and parcel of Nietzsche's genius is his ability to make his language dance, and this is what becomes extraordinarily difficult to translate. Some have failed in the attempt while others have hardly tried. Our present translator, Thomas Wayne, is himself an aphorist of palpable genius if not yet repute, with several collections to his credit which I have been privileged to edit. He knows that wordplay is the thing wherein he'll catch the conscience of the reader. I have seen him wrestle with a particularly intractable word or phrase of Nietzsche's masterwork and snatch an exasperated success from the jaws of failure. While the great tendency among earlier translators has been to smooth out the rough edges, cut corners and sometimes omit troublesome passages outright, this one honors and respects the original as no other.

About this edition

• Publisher: Algora Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0875862098
• ISBN 13: 9780875862095
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 268